More words related to tortoise

Word Origin & History

tortoise 1550s, altered (perhaps by infl. of porpoise) from M.E. tortuse (late 15c.), tortuce (mid-15c.), tortuge (late 14c.), from M.L. tortuca (mid-13c.), perhaps from L.L. tartaruchus "of the underworld" (see turtle). Others propose a connection with L. tortus "twisted," based on the shape of the feet. The classical L. word was testudo, from testa "shell." First record of tortoise shell as a coloring pattern is from 1782.

Example Sentences for tortoise

The first lawyer, you know, was a waif that was adopted by a tortoise and a fox.

Another manoeuvre of the tortoise was to seize the tail of its antagonist.

Jimmy Kinsella sat on a stone with his back to the party in the Tortoise.